Annie Hughes

America's favorite castaway, Dawn Wells, passed peacefully this morning, in no pain as a result of complications due to Covid at the age of 82.

Last December, with the 2018 Midterm elections on the horizon, New York-based Cabaret producer, performer, promoter, and former reviewer Stephen Hanks decided he needed to combine his passion for cabaret and politics and channel that energy into action on behalf of the Democratic and Progressive candidates running for the US Senate, the US Congress, and some state offices this November. To help him with his “Campaigning,” Hanks has recruited All-Star Casts of Cabaret performers who are equally passionate about motivating people to “Ride the Blue Wave” in 2018. On Hanks' Birthday, October 13, 7 pm, CABARET CAMPAIGNS: RIDE THE BLUE WAVE 2018! (with Michael Roberts, who wrote the Series theme song “The Great Blue Wave” as Musical Director) will feature the 4th All-Female Cast, featuring 2018 Two-Time MAC Award-Winner Natalie Douglas (representing Florida Governor Candidate Andrew Gillum).

Richard Skipper topped himself once again with a rousing afternoon of Broadway and Off-Broadway stars taking to the stage at the Laurie Beechman Theater to tell stories of how they created or personalized great roles in the musical theater.

Ms. Bradbury, after Elia Kazan discovered her at the Actor's Studio, made her debut on Broadway in play, J.B. performing alongside Raymond Massey and Christopher Plummer. But it was her creation of the role of Dainty June in the original Broadway production of Gypsy with the legendary Ethel Merman that put her in the public eye. She also originated the role of Charlotte Goodall in the Broadway premiere of Tennessee Williams' The Night of the Iguana.

New York-based Cabaret producer, performer, promoter, and former reviewer (for Cabaret Scenes Magazine and BroadwayWorld.com) Stephen Hanks is in the midst of a serious love-hate relationship. He loves the art form of Cabaret and hates the dramatic rise of voter suppression and white supremacy in America during the current Republican Party rule of all three branches of the United States Government. So with the November 2018 Midterm elections on the horizon, Hanks has decided to combine the objects of his love and his hate and channel that energy into political action on behalf of the Democratic and Progressive candidates running for the US Senate, the House of Representatives, and perhaps some state governorships in November.

As the days dwindled down to a precious few in 2014, a few cabaret goers and performers in what is affectionately but also self-mockingly called the “cabaret community” would sidle up and ask if I was planning my annual end-of-the year “Best Of” column, similar to the “Top 20 Bests and Favorites” piece over the first half of the year I posted back in early July. I would respond in the negative with very reasonable and believable excuses, but the truth is I didn't want to reveal my “Bests” of the year until the voting for the 2014 BroadwayWorld New York Cabaret Awards had ended. There's enough baggage and backstage whispering that comes with administering the BWW Awards, so I wasn't about to publish any opinions that might influence the vote while it was in process. I may be crazy but I'm not masochistic. But now all bets are off. You want lists? I'll give you lists.

If you've been a regular reader of this particular reviewer's musings, you know that every year there are long stretches of time where I just haven't been able to critique all the shows I've seen that deserve commentary. So I end up playing what they call in sports, 'Catch-up ball,' and post a mash up of belated reviews from past shows. It's kind of like a critic's version of the song 'Six Months Out of Every Year,' from Damn Yankees. Give or take a month or two, that's usually the time period during which I store unpublished reviews in my fevered brain and then unload them all in one seemingly endless column-like this one is going to be. If my cabaret-show reviewing days will be over (as chronicled here), I might as well go out with a bang-and relieve my procrastination guilt during holiday season. Now I can scratch one New Year's resolution off the list.

Greenstage presents MACBETH by William Shakespeare. Directed by Ken Holmes, runs October 8 - 30

Greenstage presents MACBETH by William Shakespeare. Directed by Ken Holmes, runs October 8 - 30

Greenstage presents MACBETH by William Shakespeare. Directed by Ken Holmes, runs October 8 - 30

Jenna gives a rundown of where she's been and what's coming up in the world of cabaret (and sometimes beyond!) This week's column features MetroJam, Salon for the New Year, Aaron Weinstein and more!

Rick Culbertson, in association with Lynn Marks and Paradox Entertainment, today announced that DIVORCE! THE MUSICAL has been extended again by popular demand through May 17, 2009, at the Hudson Mainstage Theatre (6539 Santa Monica Blvd.). The world premiere production features music, lyrics and book by 2008 Frederick Loewe Award-winner Erin Kamler (Runway 69 at New Dramatists).

Rick Culbertson, in association with Lynn Marks and Paradox Entertainment, today announced that Divorce! The Musical will have an open-ended run at the Hudson Mainstage Theatre (6539 Santa Monica Blvd.). The world premiere production, now in its fourth smash month, features music, lyrics and book by 2008 Frederick Loewe Award-winner Erin Kamler (Runway 69 at New Dramatists). Multi award-winning director Rick Sparks (They Shoot Horses, Don?t They?) directs and musical stage this comedy about one couple?s hellish journey to un-tie the knot. Divorce! The Musical also features musical direction and arrangements by Ovation Award-winner David O (Ubu Roi and Jason Robert Brown?s 13).

Rick Culbertson, in association with Lynn Marks and Paradox Entertainment, announced today that DIVORCE! THE MUSICAL has been extended by popular demand through April 26, 2009, at the Hudson Mainstage Theatre (6539 Santa Monica Blvd.). The world premiere production features music, lyrics and book by 2008 Frederick Loewe Award-winner Erin Kamler (Runway 69 at New Dramatists).

Rick Culbertson, in association with Lynn Marks and Paradox Entertainment, today announced that DIVORCE! THE MUSICAL has been extended again by popular demand through May 17, 2009, at the Hudson Mainstage Theatre (6539 Santa Monica Blvd.). The world premiere production features music, lyrics and book by 2008 Frederick Loewe Award-winner Erin Kamler (Runway 69 at New Dramatists).

Rick Culbertson, in association with Lynn Marks and Paradox Entertainment, today announced that DIVORCE! THE MUSICAL has been extended again by popular demand through May 17, 2009, at the Hudson Mainstage Theatre (6539 Santa Monica Blvd.). The world premiere production features music, lyrics and book by 2008 Frederick Loewe Award-winner Erin Kamler (Runway 69 at New Dramatists).

Rick Culbertson, in association with Lynn Marks and Paradox Entertainment, announced today that DIVORCE! THE MUSICAL has been extended by popular demand through April 26, 2009, at the Hudson Mainstage Theatre (6539 Santa Monica Blvd.). The world premiere production features music, lyrics and book by 2008 Frederick Loewe Award-winner Erin Kamler (Runway 69 at New Dramatists).

Rick Culbertson, in association with Lynn Marks, presents Divorice! The Musical at the Hudson Mainstage Theatre (6539 Santa Monica Blvd.) The producers announced the full casting of this world premiere featuring music, lyrics and book by 2008 Frederick Loewe Award-winner Erin Kamler (Runway 69 at New Dramatists). Multi award-winning director Rick Sparks (They Shoot Horses, Don?t They?) will direct and musical stage this comedy about one couple?s hellish journey to un-tie the knot. Divorice! The Musical features musical direction and arrangements by Ovation Award-winner David O (Ubu Roi and Jason Robert Brown?s 13). Preview performances begin February 5, 2009 with the official press opening on February 14, 2009.

The Manhattan Association of Cabarets & Clubs (MAC), this year celebrating its 25th Anniversary, presents some of its top up-and-coming talent in NEW FACE SHOWCASE, an evening of comedy and song on Wednesday, June 25th at 7pm at The Duplex.

The Manhattan Association of Cabarets & Clubs (MAC), this year celebrating its 25th Anniversary, presents some of its top up-and-coming talent in NEW FACE SHOWCASE, an evening of comedy and song on Wednesday, June 25th at 7pm at The Duplex.